It may or may not be with the Islanders, but Brad Shaw is going to be a head coach in the NHL one day, and not just an interim one.

Shaw took over when Steve Stirling was fired and was handed the Islanders and an incredible opportunity to showcase his ability behind the bench. Shaw took over with 40 games left to play in the season and the Islanders seven points out of a playoff spot.

“It’s a great 40-game opportunity,” Shaw said, “and hopefully there’s some playoff games after that.”

The Islanders are committed to not throwing in the towel on the season, and Shaw won’t let them do it. He’s preaching a new approach at work ethic and has some in the locker room believing that if they work for it, they can still have success this season.

“From our perspective, we’re focused on what we need to do to make the team better on a daily basis,” Shaw said. “We are going to get judged at the end of these 40 games, whether we view it as a permanent job or a temporary job. I don’t think there are many permanent jobs in coaching, certainly at this level, anyway. For us, we’re treating it as an opportunity and a chance.”

In just his first few days on the job, Shaw has been a breath of fresh air. He won his first game, 3-2, against Calgary Thursday night. His voice commands attention in the locker room and the players seem to respect him. He’s played in the league, which makes him a part of their small fraternity and he understands the game, especially from a defensive point of view.

Part of him is all business. But Shaw, who played in almost 400 games in the NHL and was the head coach the last three years with Cincinnati (AHL), also has a looser side.

Shaw’s practices are designed to make the lazy skaters stand out, and there are even light moments when at the end of every practice or morning skate the entire team sprints to the new coach. The last one to reach the scrum must do a lap around the rink before the official close of the session.

“Just to keep it light,” Shaw said of the post-practice huddle. It’s something he’s done with every team he’s coached, and the Islanders will be no different.

“It gets everyone’s attention,” Shaw said.

What will get even more attention are wins. A lot of them. Fast.

“At 40 games left, we know that seven points is not insurmountable,” Shaw said.